AGP Executive Report

Publishing & Reviews: Andrea Bajani’s The Anniversary lands as a quiet, therapy-tinged reckoning with oppressive fathers and hollowed-out mothers, while Frances Whiting’s The Nocturnals returns five scattered friends to the emotional fallout of a single nineties event. Faith & Books: A new release, Jonah, the Whale, and God’s Grace, reframes the familiar story around repentance and compassion. Book Industry in the Spotlight: Gulshan Books Kashmir wins the Lal Ded Literary Award 2026 for literary excellence and publishing, and the Wokingham Children’s Book Festival returns Oct. 17–18 with Cressida Cowell and Holly Webb. Censorship & School Content: In Jammu and Kashmir, three publishers were arrested over school-library books accused of glorifying separatists/militants, with officials suspended and schools ordered to review materials. Tech, AI & Reading: A piece warns that AI can be confidently wrong, urging readers to double-check before trusting “facts.” Business & Education Procurement: Novus Holdings’ education unit cut jobs after textbook procurement shifts reduced allocations.

Education Policy & Textbooks: Jammu & Kashmir ordered a full review of books across schools and coaching centers after publishers were arrested over titles allegedly glorifying militants and separatism, with authorities demanding inspections and audits of curriculum materials. Education Policy & Textbooks: Odisha escalated its textbook-error controversy with a criminal probe into printing and content mistakes for Classes I–VIII, while Bangladesh’s education ministry pushed a 2027 textbook overhaul aimed at “error-free” and more engaging books. Publishing & Books: A new children’s laureate spotlight: Patrice Lawrence was named Waterstones Children’s Laureate, with her work framed as timely for today’s reading and boyhood concerns. AI & Reading: A new book argues complex systems fail catastrophically and warns that AI-mediated reading can narrow perspectives, urging analog resilience. Book-to-Screen: Netflix’s “Little House on the Prairie” reboot is being discussed as a modern retelling of Wilder’s America, with research tied to Caroline Fraser’s “Prairie Fires.” Industry & Tech: Digimon Story: Time Stranger expands to Switch 2 and Switch with a global update, signaling continued hybrid-console push.

Publishing & Books in the News: A new memoir extract spotlights Rosita Sweetman’s Girl with a Fork in a World of Soup, while a fresh history book reframes Goan diaspora through Zanzibar in Selma Carvalho’s Guts, Glory and Empire. Local Literary Life: Niger’s Association of Nigerian Authors plans a statewide secondary-school “Bago Book Challenge,” and J&K’s literary groups released the Pahari novel Muhajer at a Rajouri meet. Book Culture & Community: Regina’s Black Bird Commons opens as more than a bookstore, adding Indigenous and queer voices book clubs plus workshops. Big-Name Publishing Moments: Dr. Seuss Enterprises and PRH reportedly found a completed, previously unpublished manuscript in UC San Diego’s Seuss archives. Controversy & Access: PEN America’s Israel/Gaza-related coverage triggers internal fallout, with its president resigning in protest. Food & Reading: Lokelani Albanza’s Ice Cream Queen ties African American culinary history to the sweet stuff.

COVID Vaccine Policy: HHS Secretary RFK Jr. is set to propose a rule in November 2026 creating a formal injury table for COVID-19 vaccines, easing compensation for vaccine-injured people by presuming certain harms within defined timeframes. Memoir & Community Reading: A tenant’s eviction fight over an “overcluttered” apartment packed with books spotlights how housing rules collide with literary life, while new memoirs like Deborah Jones Smith’s A Mile in Her Shoes and Brian Buckabee’s bird-filled We Should All Be Birds keep the focus on personal stories that travel. Publishing & Culture: BookTok’s long tail gets another win as Jacqueline Harpman’s viral re-release drives major sales, and the Netflix Little House on the Prairie reboot continues to spark debate about whose history gets told. Libraries & Events: Pride-themed book donations land on Vancouver Island libraries, and local author talks and festivals—from Sodus Community Library to ARC’s contemporary comics weekend—keep indie reading culture moving. Education & Content Controls: J&K orders schools to review books for “objectionable content,” adding to a wider censorship-and-curriculum pressure cycle.

Legal & Civil Liberties: A new book, “Unchained,” argues the DOJ itself moved to undo Oath Keepers and Proud Boys convictions, framing the fight as a broader “ratchet” toward using emergency-era laws against political opponents. Publishing & Education Oversight: India’s Centre has ordered a high-level probe into NCERT after it allegedly failed to defend a textbook paper supplier blacklist in Delhi High Court, with officials scrutinizing procurement and legal handling. Creator Economy & Audio: Spotify’s “Reserved by Spotify” push for superfans signals a bigger play for podcasting too, as creators get tools to monetize memberships and keep direct audience relationships. New Books & Culture: David Shukman’s “The Response” presses readers to treat climate change as personal and immediate, while Steve Ayan’s “Soul Magic” traces a century of psychotherapy as Europe’s search for meaning. Kids Reading on the Move: UK train operators and The Reading Agency launch summer reading sessions and free activity packs to turn train travel into reading time.

Publishing & Politics: Oregon’s AG is expanding antitrust actions as federal enforcement pulls back, aiming to modernize how competition and prices are handled. Censorship & Schools: Jammu and Kashmir education authorities ordered schools and libraries to screen books for “objectionable” or “separatist” content, with audits and removals tied to government circulars. Labor in Publishing: The UCP Workers Guild at University of Chicago Press won NLRB recognition, clearing the way for collective bargaining across press, journals, and distribution roles. Book Culture Online: BookTok users are pushing a new dystopian wave, with “dystomance” and renewed interest in YA classics like Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth. Adaptations: Netflix’s “Little House on the Prairie” reboot is drawing mixed reactions, while Season 2 is already in production. New Releases & Awards: J. Kenton Pierce’s debut novel “A Kiss for Damocles” won the Prometheus Award for Best Novel. Community Reading: Portsmouth schools joined a “Big Read” event with author Gareth P Jones, timed to National Year of Reading 2026.

OpenAI Copyright Fight: US news outlets asked a judge to sanction OpenAI, alleging it hid or destroyed material tied to how ChatGPT was trained on copyrighted news, as the dispute tops $28M in legal costs. Publishing & Culture: The University of Tennessee Press released Haunted by Memory: Ghost Stories of the American Civil War, an annotated anthology linking Civil War folklore to cultural memory. Literary Awards: Karen Bartlett’s The Escape from Kabul won the 2026 Orwell Prize for Political Writing, spotlighting Afghan women judges’ escape after the Taliban takeover. Books & Community Events: Fort Bend County Libraries announced July Virtual Author Talks with Karin Slaughter, Reyna Grande, and Dr. Marisa Franco. Travel Writing Prize: Dorset’s Sherborne Prize for Travel Writing opened submissions for 2026, offering £10,000 for a new English-language nonfiction travel book. Tech & Reading Access: Japan’s “digital divide” is leaving some residents unable to use smartphone-only services, prompting calls to preserve analog options.

AI Power & Privacy: A new book, The Physics of Privacy, argues data-center spending is being used to “summon” sentient AI and warns of a digital priesthood—while a separate privacy-focused title pitches on-prem, owner-controlled AI as a way to reclaim autonomy. Publishing & Books for Kids: Palmetto Publishing released Lea’s Special Homes, a picture book for ages 4–8 about parents separating and living in two homes. TV-to-Books Culture: Disney+ is developing a series based on Stuart Gibbs’ Spy School novels, with Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort producing. Censorship & School Libraries: Jammu and Kashmir authorities ordered book screening and pulled titles tied to separatist content, suspending officials and escalating legal action around what schools stock. Libraries & Community Reading: Vermont’s Champlain Valley Fair is offering free admission for kids who read three books, with local libraries distributing vouchers and ribbons. Review Buzz: Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie reboot is drawing mixed reactions—some say it’s too rosy, others praise a grittier, book-faithful approach. Human Rights in Policy: A DOJ memo backs states challenging the mandate to move people with mental disabilities out of institutions, drawing alarm from advocates.

AI & Copyright: A US judge tossed a freelance artist’s claim that Hachette used AI to make derivative book covers for Sandra Brown, at least for now. Publishing & Policy: France’s competition watchdog ordered Meta to resume talks with major French publishers and hand over financial data for copyright payments, after EU rules shifted the balance. Education Vouchers: Arizona AG Kris Mayes settled an ESA lawsuit, easing requirements for what parents must document as “intended to support” a curriculum—still with attestations and warnings. Elections & Access: A legal argument says federal voter-roll rules require states to make registration lists public for oversight. Literary Culture: Norway is moving toward canonizing novelist Sigrid Undset, with a cause expected to open this fall. Books & Community: A beloved York bookshop will close after seven years, while Littleton’s Bondcliff Books remains part of a locally owned downtown block after sales. New Releases/Events: Adam Kay brings “Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas” to New Zealand; Lewes library hosts author talks with Ellen Carol DuBois and Rachel Beanland.

Indie Spotlight: Hanif Abdurraqib is named the American Booksellers Association’s 2026 Indie Bookstore Ambassador, adding star power to year-round advocacy for independent shops and the freedom to read. Local Book Retail: For the Love of Romance in Newmarket, Ontario, reports a strong first month as romance-focused shelves and bookish merch draw steady foot traffic. Community Events: New Orleans is gearing up for a packed summer of reader-friendly happenings, from GalaxyCon (July 10–12) to the New Orleans Beatles Festival (July 11). Library Access & Costs: Orillia’s library warns that e-books can cost about three times physical copies due to licensing rules, complicating collection building. Education & Inclusion: A new report and education scholar Hannele Niemi spotlight how students with disabilities still face barriers to quality, inclusive schooling. Grief Publishing: An independently published “Always Here” grief companion series is nearing 6,000 copies sold, with seven focused titles for different kinds of loss. What to Read: New Zealand crime picks include Gavin Strawhan’s “Slash” and Marie Connolly’s “Icefall,” both praised for place-driven suspense. Media Literacy: A Public Library Association/PressReader report finds libraries are on the front lines of helping patrons navigate digital overload and evaluate sources.

Independent Bookstores: The American Booksellers Association says independents are expanding fast, with membership up more than 500 to the highest level since the late 1990s—proof the “bookstores are dying” story is outdated. Rare Books & Culture: Australia’s World of the Book returns with 300+ rare works, spotlighting major women writers and including a newly acquired first edition of Jane Austen’s Emma. Book Retail & Tech: Amazon’s Kindle feature changes and e-book ownership concerns keep sparking backlash, while shoppers compare Prime vs Walmart Plus for savings and delivery speed. Local Publishing Moments: A Seoul bookstore curated by Nobel laureate Han Kang closes after eight years, and a Kansas City church history “coffee table” book gets a second printing due to demand. Crime & Reading Picks: Michael Connelly’s new Ironwood launches a fresh LAPD-linked case, and readers share standout 5-star books across fantasy, historical fiction, and literary fiction. Big-Stage Sports Tie-In: Messi’s record-setting World Cup comeback drives more mainstream attention to sports storytelling and fandom.

Publishing & Prizes: Manhattan Book Group says “Anthem Lightner And The Realm of the Fount” won Gold in the 2026 Manhattan Book Awards, spotlighting middle-grade fantasy. Community Libraries: Toronto author Alexander Burton donated 48 queer belonging books (his novel “The Unknown Life of Jake Fidellius” and poetry collection “A-Z of Being Gay”) to six Niagara libraries for Pride. Book Retail & Genre Buzz: A new Oxford romantasy bookshop opened with big crowds, stocking about 2,000 titles and planning author visits. Literary Events: Estevan’s Maggie Mae Holmes launched “God Knows Your Name” at the public library, with readings and discussion. Media & Adaptations: ABC filed with the FCC defending “The View” as a bona fide news interview program, a reminder that publishing-adjacent media rules can shape what audiences see. Culture & Reading Life: Wimbledon fans keep the “Queue” tradition alive, arriving hours early with books and supplies.

J&K Books Crackdown: Police registered an FIR under UAPA and BNS after school-library books allegedly glorified separatist and terrorist figures, triggering raids, recalls, and the suspension/blacklisting of officials, authors, and publishers. AI in Publishing & Research: A new report warns generative AI diet plans can miss key nutrition targets for teens, while another piece questions whether AI-assisted writing should be treated as plagiarism in academic research. Author-Driven Adaptation Drama: Tomi Adeyemi says she won’t watch the upcoming Children of Blood and Bone film, distancing herself from the Paramount adaptation and its casting fallout. New Releases & Reading Culture: Malik DeBracey III launched Velvet Shadows (Book One of The Bloodline Trilogy), and Luke Icarus Simon won a UK Selfies Book Award for The Art in My Palm. Comics & Fandom: SDCC buzz includes controversy around Tilly Walden’s graphic novel and continued growth of fan fiction as a participatory reading pipeline. Sports Books Spotlight: Experts picked top soccer reads ahead of the World Cup’s next chapter.

Publishing & Books in the Spotlight: Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar is getting a Netflix series, with Colin Woodell cast as the title character alongside KJ Apa and Diane Guerrero, continuing Netflix’s run of Coben adaptations. Author-Driven Controversy: YA fantasy author Tomi Adeyemi says she won’t engage with the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone after backlash and tense messages tied to casting. Book Culture & Community: Oxford’s new romantasy shop Bad Girl Books is drawing “romantasy” fans into a physical space built for recommendations and community. Publishing Industry & Rights: More than 100 authors have sued Anthropic over alleged use of pirated books to train AI, seeking over $75 million. Education Materials & Regulation: Ghana’s NaCCA warns publishers to stop using its logo on unapproved learner materials, threatening regulatory action. Local Literary Events: Sugarcreek’s Gospel Shop plans a July 18 signing with Amish romance authors Shelley Shepard Gray and Mindy Steele.

Book Prices Under Fire: A new op-ed argues books are getting too expensive, pointing to rising hardcover costs and higher average prices paid by buyers. Censorship & Legal Pressure: India’s J&K school and library textbook crackdown continues, with FIRs and suspensions tied to alleged “separatist” content, while a separate case in Australia centers on whether a self-published erotic novel should be treated as child abuse material. Libraries Keep Expanding: Nepal’s Sarwanam Library opens with 1,000 donated English and Hindi books, and Michigan’s Alpena County library runs adult-friendly summer programs with author talks and history events. New Book Retail Opens: Wild Meadows Cafe and Books soft-opens in Williston, Vt., pairing a general-interest bookstore with a local cafe. Tech Meets Reading: A piece on ChatGPT-powered writing tools and another on physical vs digital study habits both highlight how tools are reshaping how people read and learn. World of Publishing & Culture: A roundup notes Netflix’s “3 Body Problem” as a rare hard-sci-fi win, while coverage also spotlights major book-to-screen shifts and streaming shakeups.

J&K Textbook Crackdown: Jammu and Kashmir authorities have withdrawn school library books accused of “glorifying separatists,” with police raids and an FIR filed under UAPA/BNS; eight education officials were suspended and authors/publishers blacklisted, as officials call it a “deliberate conspiracy” and critics frame it as “academic jihad.” Reading, Memory, and Archives: The Amistad Research Center in New Orleans, a 60-year Black history archive with millions of pages and thousands of artworks, is expanding access as scholars and readers seek overlooked stories. Disability Representation in Books: Janesville native Angelea Yoder Presti is launching self-published titles that use children’s photography to shift how disability is seen—focusing on what kids can do, not diagnoses. How We Read Now: A new look at why people “no longer read to the end” ties changing attention habits to modern tech and reading formats. New Releases & Learning: A debut actuarial science book, Risk Personified, aims to make risk feel personal and understandable through everyday storytelling.